This 17km GPS art course invites you to celebrate the arrival of spring by sketching a grand Sakura (cherry blossom) through the historic Hirosaki Park. The cherry blossoms at Hirosaki Park are currently in full bloom; in some areas, you can even see a shower of falling petals. A festival is also being held, and the park is bustling with people. Many food stalls are set up throughout the park, and with attractions ranging from haunted houses to a circus, the festival is truly on a grand scale. Construction is currently underway on the main keep of Hirosaki Castle, so the keep has been temporarily relocated to another site. From the castle’s inner bailey, you can enjoy the majestic view of snow-capped Mt. Iwaki. There is also a botanical garden within the park, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the crowds and spend some quiet time. Anticipating traffic congestion in Hirosaki City, I took the Konan Railway from Owani Onsen to Hirosaki. The train, offering views of apple orchards from the windows, was packed, and all the passengers from little kids to adults seemed to be having a great time. It’s a shame, though, that this line will cease operations in two years. This time, the ground art route was incomplete because parts of the Honmaru (the keep of a castle) were under construction and inaccessible. The distance was 17 km (10 miles) a bit long but thinking that it matched the jersey number of the Dodgers’ Ohtani made the ride enjoyable. Course Details: Konan Railway Hirosaki Chuo Station → Saishoin Temple → Hirosaki Park → Iwaki River → Nikka Whisky Hirosaki Distillery → Hirosaki Hachiman Shrine → Hirosaki Chuo Station
Drawing GPS art on mountain trails is difficult because there are limited routes, but the feeling of accomplishment when you finish is all the more impressive. Precisely because it’s a mountain, I try to create interesting GPS art while staying on the trails and footpaths. Since I began making my GPS art, I’ve been rediscovering the greatness of the Nazca people.
